[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 191 (Monday, October 4, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 59180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E4-2473]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. 04-039-2]
Mile-A-Minute Weed; Availability of an Environmental Assessment
and Finding of No Significant Impact
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: We are advising the public that an environmental assessment
and finding of no significant impact have been prepared by the Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service relative to issuing a permit for
the environmental release of the nonindigenous weevil Rhinoncomimus
latipes Korotyaev (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a potential biological
control agent of mile-a-minute weed (Polyganum perfoliatum). The
environmental assessment documents our review and analysis of
environmental impacts associated with, and alternatives to, issuing a
permit for the environmental release of the weevil in the continental
United States. Based on its finding of no significant impact, the
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that an
environmental impact statement need not be prepared.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the environmental assessment and finding of no
significant impact are available for public inspection in our reading
room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA South
Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC.
Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you,
please call (202) 690-2817 before coming.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Robert Flanders, Branch Chief,
Biological and Technical Services, Pest Permit Evaluations, PPQ, APHIS,
4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-5930.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Mile-a-minute weed (Polygonum perfoliatum L. [Polygonaceae]) is an
annual vine that is indigenous to Asia. Since it was accidentally
introduced into Pennsylvania via imported nursery stock in the 1930s,
it has become established throughout the northeastern United States.
The weed grows rapidly, with stems that can extend up to 6 meters. Its
stems, petioles, and leaf veins are covered with downward-curving barbs
that aid the plant in climbing and supporting itself on other plants.
Large, dense patches of mile-a-minute weed develop during the
summer. As the vines climb over and cover other plants, they block
available sunlight, which can reduce the population of native plant
species in affected areas. Mile-a-minute weed can also interfere with
Christmas tree farms, pine plantations, and reforestation projects by
smothering tree seedlings. Nursery and horticultural crops that are not
regularly tilled can also be affected by mile-a-minute weed. The Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and several States list
mile-a-minute weed as a noxious weed.
On June 1, 2004, we published in the Federal Register (69 FR 30865-
30866, Docket No. 04-039-1) a notice in which we announced the
availability, for public review and comment, of an environmental
assessment documenting our review and analysis of environmental impacts
associated with issuing a permit for the release of the nonindigenous
weevil Rhinoncomimus latipes Korotyaev (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) as a
biological control agent of mile-a-minute weed in the continental
United States. Research suggests that larval feeding by this weevil has
the potential to kill small mile-a-minute weed plants and stunt and
reduce seed production by larger plants. Alternatives to issuing the
permit were also examined in the environmental assessment, and included
no action, herbicides, mechanical control, and cultural control.
We solicited comments on the environmental assessment for 30 days
ending on July 1, 2004. We received one comment by that date, from a
private citizen. The commenter objected to APHIS programs and
activities in general, but did not address the environmental
assessment. Therefore, we are making no changes to the environmental
assessment based on this comment.
The environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact
may be viewed on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/. In the
middle of that page, click on ``Document/Forms Retrieval System.'' At
the next screen, click on the triangle beside ``Permits--Environmental
Assessments.'' A list of documents will appear; the environmental
assessment and finding of no significant impact for mile-a-minute weed
are document number 0037. You may request paper copies of the
environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact by
calling or writing to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT. Please refer to the title of the environmental assessment and
finding of no significant impact when requesting copies. The
environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact are also
available for review in our reading room (information on the location
and hours of the reading room is listed under the heading ADDRESSES at
the beginning of this notice).
The environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact
have been prepared in accordance with: (1) The National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), (2)
regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality for implementing
the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), (3) USDA
regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1), and (4) APHIS' NEPA
Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372).
Done in Washington, DC, this 28th day of September 2004.
Elizabeth E. Gaston,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E4-2473 Filed 10-1-04; 8:45 am]
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